JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: BLACK GIRLS WHO [M]OVE [A]ROUND [T]RIALS AND [H]URDLES
About Us
Black Girls Who [M]ove [A]round [T]rials and [H]urdles (BGWM) is a year-round empowerment and educational initiative serving Black women and girls from 10th grade through career retirement. We are dedicated to fostering academic excellence, professional growth, and emotional well-being among black women and girls either interested in entering math related professions or currently working in these spaces (engineering, computer science, information technology, math education, data analysis, etc.) Our comprehensive program offers tailored support, starting with a transformative summer institute for high school students providing intensive academic training, mentorship, and exposure to math-related careers.
Our Mission, Vision, & Values
Mission: To empower and unite black women and girls in math and math-related fields, fostering academic excellence, sisterhood, and innovation, while creating a strong pipeline of future leaders in these disciplines.
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Vision: Empowering limitless futures: revolutionizing Black women and girls in math to lead, innovate, and shape the world.
Values:
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Impact: We measure our success by the positive and lasting impact we have on the lives and careers of Black women and girls in math.
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Leadership: Leadership represents our commitment to nurturing and developing strong, capable leaders who will not only excel in their respective fields but also pave the way for others. We believe that leadership is not confined to titles or positions; it's a quality that can be cultivated in each of us.
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Sisterhood: We value the sense of sisterhood and community, where support and collaboration are fundamental.
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Innovation: We work to be innovative in our approach to provide programming, resources, and opportunities that align with our mission/vision, while adapting to the needs and goals of our members while being . We also encourage creativity and innovation in our members, pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons in math.
Meet the Founder
Shanava Saintolien
Hailing from Miami, FL, Shanava Saintolien, an Educator and Entrepreneur, discovered her passion for teaching at 16. With a B.S. in Mathematics and a minor in Economics from Florida State University, she became a classroom teacher then went on to earn an MBA concentrating in Business Analytics from Florida International University. In her first year as an educator, Shanava founded Saint Tutoring, a math tutoring company that has served students in Florida, NYC, Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama. With over a decade in education and leadership roles, including serving as a Director for Breakthrough Miami's high school program, she remains dedicated to empowering individuals. Shanava's commitment extends to her non-profit, Black Girls Who MATH, aiming to foster a supportive sisterhood for Black women and girls in math-related spaces.
